25 top-earning iconic Christmas movies of all time

From TV Christmas movies to the season’s latest hopeful hit holiday film in the theaters, December is the time for filmmakers of all stripes to try to capture the holiday spirit — and sell a whole bunch of tickets in the process.

25. ‘A Christmas Story’: $20.61 Million

One of the most beloved movies of the modern era, “A Christmas Story” is believed to have been produced on a budget of $4.4 million. It pulled in a respectable $20.6 million when it was released in 1983. Its impact, however, is priceless.

“A Christmas Story” follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker’s (played by Peter Billingsley) quest for an impossible Christmas gift — an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model BB gun. According to Vanity Fair, the movie “forever changed the cozy, sentimental holiday-movie genre.” According to the publication, it made previous generations of holiday classics look archaic and campy in the process.

24. ‘Almost Christmas’: $42.07 Million

In 2016, “Almost Christmas” earned back its $17 million production budget with plenty to spare. The movie, which follows the drama of a fractured family together for the first time since losing the family matriarch, stars Danny Glover, Monique and Gabrielle Union. More than one dollar in three that the movie grossed was earned on opening weekend, when “Almost Christmas” peaked at No. 4.

23. ‘Krampus’: $42.73 Million

Rotten Tomatoes refers to 2015’s “Krampus” as “gory good fun for fans of non-traditional holiday horror.” Based on the tale of a boy who responds to continuous Christmas letdowns by conjuring up a terrifying holiday-themed demon, “Krampus” frightened audiences enough to reach No. 2 on opening weekend.

When you count the 30.6 percent of its worldwide gross that came from foreign theaters, “Krampus” earned more than $61.5 million on a budget of just $15 million.

22. ‘The Night Before’: $43.05 Million

In 2015, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen — a familiar and successful comedy duo — waded into the holiday genre when they played two guys on a relentless search for the ultimate New York City Christmas party in “The Night Before.”

Written by Evan Goldberg and Jonathan Levine, the movie earned nearly $53 million — but only after you include worldwide earnings. “The Night Before” holds a respectable 65 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. It didn’t win any Oscars, but it was honored with a Golden Schmoes Awards nomination.

21. ‘Arthur Christmas’: $46.46 Million

Although its domestic haul lands 2011’s “Arthur Christmas” on the bottom five of this list, its worldwide box office earnings are impressive to say the least. The movie earned 68.5 percent of its earnings — more than $100 million — at foreign theaters for a worldwide gross of $147.42 million.

The movie stars James McAvoy as the voice of Arthur, the clumsy son of Father Christmas. Its commercial success was backed up by critical acclaim — the movie was nominated for a Golden Globe. But, did it make the list of the top-grossing animated movies of all time?

20. ‘The Preacher’s Wife’: $48.1 Million

In 1996, powerhouse actor Denzel Washington teamed up with Whitney Houston for “The Preacher’s Wife,” which tells the tale of a minister whose marriage to a church choir singer begins to unravel thanks to his hectic schedule and the pressures of their underprivileged neighborhood.

After peaking at No. 4 on opening weekend, the movie went on to earn just over than $48 million. It’s unclear how much it cost to produce the movie.

19. ‘This Christmas’: $49.12 Million

2007’s “This Christmas” was produced on a budget of just $13 million, yet it went on to earn just shy of $50 million when you count worldwide box office gross.

Based on the drama that surrounds a family’s first holiday reunion in several years, “This Christmas” stars Regina King, Columbus Short and Chris Brown. The movie, which was nominated for a BET Award, debuted at No. 2 on opening weekend.

18. ‘Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas’: $52.54 Million

Although it’s unclear how much it cost to make “Tyler Perry’s a Madea Christmas,” the movie debuted at No. 3 when it was released in 2013. The multi-talented Tyler Perry wrote, directed, produced and starred in the movie, which maintains a dismal 18 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

Tyler Perry’s performance won a Razzie (Worst Actress) — an award that filmmakers generally want to avoid — and was nominated for five more, including Worst Picture. Even still, it is the first film on this list to break the $50 million mark.

17. ‘Office Christmas Party’: $54.77 Million

Although “Office Christmas Party” never broke the $55 million mark in the U.S., the movie took in most of its earnings — nearly $60 million — in foreign theaters for a worldwide total of almost $115 million.

The 2016 flick stars Jason Bateman and Olivia Munn as banker siblings whose rivalry leads to a massive Christmas party gone awry. The movie was the product of six writers and two directors.

16. ‘Bad Santa’: $60.06 Million

Many actors have taken on the hefty role of Santa Claus, but none quite like Billy Bob Thornton in 2003’s “Bad Santa.” Thornton plays a degenerate con artist who doubles as a mall Santa who, along with his criminal elf sidekick, plan to use their jobs as cover for a department store robbery. Add Bernie Mac and an adorable kid, and you’ve got one of history’s raunchiest Christmas movies.

Foreign audiences added more than $16 million to the film’s domestic gross, which more than tripled its $23 million budget when you count receipts from the global box office.

15. ‘Scrooged’: $60.33 Million

In 1988, “Scrooged” put a modern twist on the timeless Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol.” Beloved comedy heavyweight Bill Murray takes on the role of a heartless and cynical television executive who follows three ghosts through a journey of personal redemption.

“Scrooged” earned roughly $60.33 million at the domestic box office, and $13.03 million of that haul came on opening weekend alone. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Makeup and also won a BMI Film and TV Award.

14. ‘Jingle All the Way’: $60.6 Million

In 1996, comedians Phil Hartman and Sinbad joined Hollywood action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Jingle All the Way.” The movie pits Schwarzenegger against a mob of shoppers as he scrambles to get his son the year’s hot Christmas toy.

“Jingle All the Way” barely earned back its $60 million production budget with a little shy of a $60.6 million haul at domestic theaters. Its worldwide gross, however, more than doubled its returns. The movie earned $69.24 million internationally for a worldwide total of nearly $129.83 million. It took in $12.11 million on opening weekend alone.

13. ‘The Best Man Holiday’: $70.53 Million

In 2013’s “The Best Man Holiday,” old college friends reunite for the holidays 15 years after graduating, and old drama — and crushes — are rekindled. Starring Monica Calhoun and Morris Chestnut, the movie became one of the few Christmas flicks ever to gross more than $70 million.

Produced on a budget of just $17 million, “The Best Man Holiday” peaked at No. 2 on opening weekend and went on to gross nearly $73 million worldwide.

12. ‘Christmas Vacation’: $71.32 Million

Chevy Chase returned to the “National Lampoon” franchise as Clark Griswold in 1989’s “Christmas Vacation.” What should be a pleasant Christmas celebration turns into a catastrophe on every level.

The John Hughes film earned nearly $71.3 million at the domestic box office. It ranked No. 2 on opening weekend when it earned $11.7 million. It is the second highest-grossing movie in the “National Lampoon” franchise — only “Animal House” earned more at the box office.

11. ‘Fred Claus’: $72 Million

Vince Vaughn plays Fred Claus in the namesake movie, which tells the story of Santa’s bitter older brother who is forced to move to the North Pole. The powerhouse cast also includes Kathy Bates and Paul Giamatti.

The movie earned more than $72 million at the domestic box office when it was released in 2007. It took in another $25.83 million at foreign theaters for a worldwide haul of nearly $98 million.

10. ‘Christmas With the Kranks’: $73.78 Million

Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis and Dan Aykroyd starred in 2004’s “Christmas With the Kranks.” The movie earned nearly $74 million on a production budget of $60 million.

Written by Chris Columbus and based on a novel by John Grisham, the film portrays a raucous, last-minute Christmas celebration. The movie peaked at No. 3 on opening weekend when it earned $21.57 million in theaters. In all, “Christmas With the Kranks” grossed more than $96.57 million worldwide.

9. ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’: $75.09 Million

Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare before Christmas” earned just over $50 million when it was first released in 1993, but five subsequent releases in the 2000s pushed the movie’s total earnings beyond $75 million.

The movie is animated in the creepy claymation that’s unique to Burton’s trademark style. It follows the culture clash that ensues when the King of Halloween Town discovers Christmas Town. The movie features Catherine O’Hara and Chris Sarandon. It was nominated for an Oscar for Best Effects.

8. ‘Die Hard’: $83.01 Million

Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman put a new spin on Christmas films with “Die Hard” in 1988. The movie earned more than $83 million dollars at the domestic box office and nearly $141 million worldwide. One of the most celebrated action movies of all time, “Die Hard” was nominated for four Oscars.

With the Christmas season as the movie’s backdrop, the film follows the exploits of NYPD Officer John McClane — a reluctant hero trapped in a Los Angeles skyscraper under siege by diabolical terrorists. After killing a terrorist and upgrading his weaponry, McClane delivers the bad guy’s body — complete with a Santa hat — to the surviving terrorists with the written message: “Now I have a machine gun: Ho, Ho, Ho.” It’s been an ironic Christmas classic ever since.

7. ‘Four Christmases’: $120.15 Million

“Four Christmases,” starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon, was released in 2008. It follows a couple as they make separate visits to all their divorced parents on Christmas.

The movie took in more than $120 million at the U.S. box office. When factoring in worldwide ticket sales, it earned more than $163.73 million. Witherspoon was nominated for a Kids’ Choice Award for the film, and the movie also won a BMI Film & TV Award.

6. ‘A Christmas Carol’ (2009): $137.86 million

Filmmakers released their own versions of the Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol” in 1938 and 1951, but it wasn’t until 2009 that the tale struck box office gold.

The animated version starring Jim Carrey earned almost $138 million at the domestic box office that year and more than $325 million worldwide. “A Christmas Carol” earned more than $30 million on opening weekend alone. The movie, a classic tale of self-redemption, debuted at No. 1 in 3,683 theaters.

Those numbers might sound phenomenal — until you realize that the movie cost $200 million to produce. It stands out as being one of the biggest holiday films of all time, and also one of the biggest price-to-earnings flops.

5. ‘The Santa Clause’: $144.83 Million

In 1994, Tim Allen and Judge Reinhold teamed up in a story about a man who has to take on the role of Santa Claus after accidentally killing the real St. Nick. It would go on to become the No. 5 highest-grossing Christmas movie of all time when you don’t include sequels — which really boosted Tim Allen’s Hollywood star power.

“The Santa Clause,” which earned more than $144.83 million domestically and combined for nearly $190 million worldwide, cost just $22 million to make. It did better than any other PG-rated movie that year, and was the fourth highest-grossing movie of the year behind “Forrest Gump,” “The Lion King” and “True Lies.” It earned $19.32 million just on opening weekend.

4. ‘Elf’: $173.4 Million

In 2003, Will Ferrell portrayed a human-sized elf whose penchant for inadvertent mayhem resulted in his exile from the North Pole to find his long-lost and grumpy father, played by James Caan.

The movie earned more than $173 million at the domestic box office and another $47.04 million in foreign theaters for a worldwide total of $220.44 million. It was the seventh highest-grossing movie of 2003 and that year’s No. 1 PG movie. It earned $31.11 million on opening weekend alone.

This modern classic is “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 84 percent, with one reviewer summing it up as “a spirited, good-natured family comedy.”

3. ‘The Polar Express’: $185.62 Million

“The Polar Express” grossed $162.78 million when it was first released in 2004, but it pulled in another $20 million-plus after a dozen re-releases. It earned another $124.14 million in foreign theaters for a worldwide total of $309.76 million.

Silver screen veteran Tom Hanks performed voice work for six characters in this animated Warner Brothers holiday film, which follows a young boy on a fantastic adventure to the North Pole. It was the highest-grossing G-rated movie of 2004. And, it was nominated for three Oscars: Sound, Sound Editing and Best Original Song.

2. ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’: $260.04 Million

Director Ron Howard’s interpretation of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” took in more than $260 million in 2000 — $345.14 million worldwide. Jim Carrey assumed the role of the Grinch, a conniving anti-Christmas menace bent on ruining the holiday for the Whos in Dr. Seuss’ Whoville.

The movie earned more than doubled its production budget of $123 million and earned more than any other Dr. Seuss movie in history. It won an Oscar for Best Makeup and was nominated for two others. It ranks No. 98 on the list of the highest-grossing movies at the domestic box office.

1. ‘Home Alone’: $285.8 Million

When it comes to Christmas blockbusters, there’s “Home Alone” and there’s everything else. The biggest Christmas movie of all time, it grossed more than $285 million at the domestic box office and nearly $476.7 million worldwide. Adjusted for inflation, the movie earned nearly $605 million in the U.S. alone, earning the holiday classic the No. 40 spot on the list of history’s most successful movies. It was the highest-grossing movie of 1990, beating out “Ghost,” “Pretty Woman” and “Dances With Wolves” — all on a production budget of $18 million.

The movie, which launched the career of child star Macaulay Culkin,follows the exploits of young Kevin McCallister who learns to be careful what he wishes for when his family unwittingly leaves him behind when they embark on a family Christmas trip to Paris. Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern play a duo of hapless burglars that terrorize Kevin, who then returns the favor with a series of elaborate and effective boobie traps.

Net worth figures are indicative of assets versus liabilities. All net worth figures are according to CelebrityNetWorth.com unless otherwise noted. Box office earnings are domestic totals, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com unless otherwise noted. Some classics like “Miracle on 34th Street,” “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “White Christmas” were omitted because box office information from that era is scarce and unreliable. The list also omits movie sequels.